Ukrainian investigators open war crime proceedings into Russian use of human shields in Kharkiv region
Prosecutors are investigating the likely use of civilians as human shields by Russian forces in the Kharkiv Region (Oblast) as a war crime, Spartak Borysenko, a department head at the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office, told the public broadcaster Suspilne.
Screenshot from videoThe incident was filmed by reconnaissance drones of the 2nd Khartiia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine on 27 September 2026.
In the video released by Khartiia fighters, nine people were visible, including children,
older people and at least one person on crutches. Walking beside them were men of conscription age in civilian clothing, who could have been disguised Russian soldiers, Khartiia said.
Related: How Ukraine passes judgment on violations of the laws and customs of war
Borysenko said investigators were establishing where and when it happened, who is in the video and their status, but would give no more details for now because of the
confidentiality of the investigation and the risk to the civilians shown.
Earlier, a Russian serviceman was formally named a suspect in absentia for using civilians as human shields in the Sumy Oblast. It is not the only such case.
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